- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

Bike lanes as visual pollution.
by Patman, David 25 Sep '15

25 Sep '15

Hope we don't encounter this in Winnipeg in the future: http://www.citylab.com/commute/2015/09/objecting-to-bike-lanes-as-paint-str… David Patman, P. Eng. Transit Planner Winnipeg Transit | Service Development Division 421 Osborne Street | Winnipeg, Manitoba R3L 2A2 P: 204-986-5737 | dpatman(a)winnipeg.ca<mailto:dpatman@winnipeg.ca>

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12 things Montreal wants to change about Quebec's laws for cyclists
by Beth McKechnie 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

12 things Montreal wants to change about Quebec's laws for cyclists http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/city-proposes-new-rules-for-cycl… If the city has its way, cyclists won’t have to stop at stop signs. It’s one of several new measures the city is recommending as the province revises its Highway Safety Code to improve cyclist safety. Transport Minister Robert Poëti is expected to outline the new measures in the fall session of the National Assembly. On Monday, the city of Montreal … [View More]unveiled its recommendations for how the code should be changed. The general thrust of its suggestions would give cyclists greater mobility, while working to prevent serious accidents, like dooring, when a driver opens a car door and hits a cyclist. Dooring is a serious problem, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre said, accounting for about one fifth of all major injuries to cyclists in the last year. While Ontario has upped the fine for dooring to $1,000 plus three demerit points, the penalty in this province is $30. “We need to protect the most vulnerable,” Coderre said. “When one fifth of accidents are because people open their doors, and there’s only a $30 fine, do you think that’s enough?” He said even if the city’s requested changes would legitimize common illegal behaviour among cyclists, such as going through stop signs, they will have to be responsible. “We have to be sensitive to the reality, but cyclists also have to follow the rules,” Coderre said, adding that cyclists will have to watch out for pedestrians. The new proposed rules were welcomed by Montreal Bike Coalition spokesperson Daniel Lambert. “We made a few recommendations to the transport minister, and these support our position, so we’re happy about that,” Lambert said. Marianne Giguère, the Projet Montréal spokesperson for cycling issues, also welcomed the city’s position, but said along with new rules, the city must improve markings on the streets and signs on the road to give more place for cyclists. She said more bike boxes <http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/montreal-cycling-bike-boxes-new-…> should be painted on the roads, so cyclists have a safe place to stop at intersections. Here is the list of rules the city would like to see changed: *1. Introduce the principle of prudence. *Put the onus on drivers to watch out for cyclists. This is to recognize that cyclists are more vulnerable than motorists, so motorists should take this into account when sharing the road. *2. Allow ‘Idaho stops’ for stop signs. *Idaho stops, named after a measure first adopted in the northwestern state, allow cyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs, obliging them to slow down or stop for people crossing in front of them. If there are no people crossing, cyclists can merely slow down and continue without making a full stop. However, the city is opposed to allowing this practice at red lights. Cyclists should also be permitted to cross at walk signals when there is a red light for cars. *3. Reduce the risk of dooring. *Remove the obligation for cyclists to ride on the extreme right side of the road. This allows cyclists to ride where they feel comfortable, and also reduces the risk of dooring. Dooring should be included in the province’s definition of a road accident, and stiffer fines should be imposed on drivers who hit cyclists with their doors. The rule for passing should change to require cars to leave at least one metre between them and cyclists. The current rule merely says there should be “a safe distance.” *4. Permit cyclists to ride between two lanes of traffic, and even on sidewalks in some cases.* Young children should be permitted to ride on the sidewalk, and cyclists should also be allowed when there is construction on the road, or when there is an underpass that is considered unsafe for cyclists to ride on the road. Cars turning right should yield for cyclists going straight in the same lane. Cyclists should be permitted to ride in reserved bus lanes when space allows. *5. Stiffer fines, but no demerits for cyclists. *Increase fines for cyclists, which are currently in the $15 to $30 range. However, cyclists who break the law should no longer be issued demerit points, because not everyone has a drivers’ licence, and that is an arbitrary and unfair penalty. *6. Define the term bicycle. *That term should exclude scooters. Skateboards, in-line skates and electric wheelchairs should be permitted on bike lanes. The city already tolerates these modes of transportation in that space. *7. Prohibit the use of cellular phones and earphones while riding.* *8. Prohibit riding a bike under the influence of alcohol or other substances.* *9. Permit cyclists to ride side-by-side when space allows.* *10. Do not require cyclists to wear helmets.* Such laws in other jurisdictions have resulted in fewer overall cyclists on the road. *11. Revisit the law on reflectors and lights to make cyclists more visible.* *12. Change the rule on brakes.* Currently, the law requires a brake on the back wheel. Other types of braking systems should be considered, like those on fixed-gear bicycles, which connect the gear to the back hub of the wheel so that the bike stops as soon as the user stops pedalling. jmagder(a)montrealgazette.com twitter.com/JasonMagder [View Less]

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Human-powered vehicle speed record broken by Canada's Aerovelo
by Terry Zdan 23 Sep '15

23 Sep '15

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/aerovelo-speed-record-1.3239241 -- Terry Zdan 126 Duncan Norrie Drive Wpg MB R3P 2J9 CANADA tjzdan50(a)gmail.com <tjzdan(a)gmasil.com>

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Bike Winnipeg presents Dirty Catfish Brass Band with Slow Leaves - A Fundraising Concert @ the WECC
by Mark Cohoe 18 Sep '15

18 Sep '15

Hi Everyone, On Friday October 9th, Bike Winnipeg <http://bikewinnipeg.ca/> will be putting on a fundraising concert featuring Winnipeg artists the Dirty Catfish Brass Band and Slow Leaves<http://bikewinnipeg.ca/event/bike-winnipeg-presents-dirty-catfish-brass-ban…>. Proceeds from the performance go to Bike Winnipeg in support of our ongoing advocacy efforts to provide people on bikes with safe, comfortable and convenient ways to get around our city. Over the past three … [View More]

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Free webinar: Studying Vancouver's Protected intersections
by Beth McKechnie 18 Sep '15

18 Sep '15

Note this free webinar coming up on Monday, Sept 21st. We are not able to host a group viewing at the EcoCentre as I'm travelling this week, but it looks like a good one you could register for and watch on your own. WEBINAR WATCH: STUDYING VANCOUVER’S PROTECTED INTERSECTIONS Protected intersections are hot. A free one-hour webinar <https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8761710562780325634> this month will walk you through the ins and outs of the first one in North America. The … [View More]

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Pro Walk/Pro Bike/Pro Place - Vancouver Sept 2016
by Beth McKechnie 17 Sep '15

17 Sep '15

Nice to see the next Pro Walk Pro Bike conference taking place in Canada. Highly recommend attending if you can! ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Pro Walk/Pro Bike/Pro Place 2016 <dleyzerovsky(a)pps.org> Date: Thu, Sep 17, 2015 at 3:32 PM Subject: Pro Walk/Pro Bike/Pro Place September Newsletter [image: Project for Public Spaces] <http://pps.us2.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=2c803e70a8ad33c13a95a1ee6&id=…> Pro Walk/Pro Bike/Pro Place 2016: Moving Towards a … [View More]

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Coming Soon: NACTO Global Street Design Guide
by Shoni Madden 17 Sep '15

17 Sep '15

Visit our website <http://nacto.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=1df77980a1a876128766fe573&id…> for more information about this year's conference. View this email in your browser <http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=1df77980a1a876128766fe573&id=472b0fbd7a…> Coming Soon: Global Street Design Guide On October 28, 2015, NACTO will unveil a new resource for designing urban streets around the world: the *Global Street Design Guide. * Join NACTO Chair Janette Sadik-Khan at the … [View More]

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Job posting: 2016 Commuter Challenge Coordinator
by Beth McKechnie 16 Sep '15

16 Sep '15

*Come work with us! ** Please share widely *** Green Action Center is seeking an independent, energetic and well-organized individual to coordinate our annual Commuter Challenge and Jack Frost Challenge in Manitoba. Apply by 4pm, Friday, October 2nd. Read all about it <http://greenactioncentre.ca/about/jobs/> For those of you wondering about Jaret Olford (the 2015 coordinator), we are pleased to share that he is now working in our Environmental Speakers Bureau <http://… [View More]

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Webinar Reminder: Shared Streets, Slow Streets - Wed, Sept 16, 2-3pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 15 Sep '15

15 Sep '15

***Friendly reminder regarding tomorrow afternoon's AT webinar*** Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local viewing of the following APBP webinar: *Shared Streets, Slow Streets*. Should be a good one. The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local applications. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth ** * * * ** Shared Streets, Slow … [View More]Streets *Wednesday, Sept. 16th, 2-3pm, EcoCentre <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Boardroom* Learning objectives: - Understand the theory behind Sustainable Safety, which has driven widespread adoption of 30-km (20 mph) zones in the Netherlands - Identify the principal elements necessary to design successful 30-km zones - Examine how design standards might be revised to allow for new spatial forms in North America This webinar explores the Dutch theory of Sustainable Safety (similar to Vision Zero) and the engineering and design principles underlying 30-km zones that permit different modes to share the streets safely. The session includes examples of shared street projects in North America, where these design principles have been adapted to local contexts. Sustainable Safety is a safe systems approach used in the Netherlands to prevent serious crashes and severe injury. This approach has reduced fatal traffic crashes by 30 percent between 1998 and 2008. As the details of Vision Zero initiatives are being developed, North American planners can learn from the mistakes and successes of the Dutch. The presentation introduces the underlying principles of Sustainable Safety and focuses on the design and engineering tools used to create streets where different modes can mix at speeds safe for all users. Case studies with both good and bad examples of 30-km zones are included; presenters also discuss examples of shared streets in North America. *Presenters*: - Dick van Veen, MSc. Eng, MSc. Arch, Mobycon BV - Brice Maryman, Senior Landscape Architect, SvR Design -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://canadahelps.org/> [View Less]

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Posted speed limits on 387km of Toronto's roads change to 30km/hr
by Anders Swanson 15 Sep '15

15 Sep '15

CBC <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/speed-limits-drop-to-30-km-h-on-some-…> Speed limits drop to 30 km/h on some residential streets Limit falls to 30/h in bid to make streets safer for pedestrians New signs are going up and speed limits are going down in parts of old Toronto and East York starting today. Many residential streets are seeing the top speed drop to 30 kilometres per hour, down from 40 km/h. A total of 387 kilometres of roads in East York in the old City of Toronto … [View More]

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Wpg Sun: Public asked to weigh in on active transportation projects (Sept.11'15)
by Beth McKechnie 14 Sep '15

14 Sep '15

Public asked to weigh in on active transportation projects http://www.winnipegsun.com/2015/09/11/public-asked-to-weigh-in-on-active-tr… The city is calling on the public to weigh in on three pedestrian and cycling projects. The city is hosting community consultations on three separate planned projects and looking for public input. The projects will target pedestrian and cycling improvements in downtown, West Alexander, and northwest Winnipeg. “These projects will make it safer, easier and … [View More]

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Ciclovia count anyone?
by Anders Swanson 11 Sep '15

11 Sep '15

Last year there was a coordinated count at a few locations along the Ciclovia route using CounterPoint <http://counterpointapp.org> our designed-in-Winipeg traffic counting app. I am curious what it will be like one year later. I'll personally be doing one for fun in the Mostyn-Balmoral-Westminster corridor, since I am convinced it would be Winnipeg's next great protected bike lane. *If anyone is planning on attending Ciclovia, has a smartphone, and wants to do a count from 1-3 at one … [View More]

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Why is kids' bike safety soaring?
by Beth McKechnie 11 Sep '15

11 Sep '15

Very interesting Friday reading (with lots of graphs!) from the U.S. on the number of kids walking and biking compared with the 1970s, and the plummet in youth biking fatalities. Surprisingly, it's *not* because kids are biking less. Read on: http://www.peopleforbikes.org/blog/entry/why-is-kids-bike-safety-soaring-it… cheers, Beth -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://… [View More]

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Provincial climate change job posting
by Beth McKechnie 11 Sep '15

11 Sep '15

*Senior Policy Analyst* PM3 Program and Policy Analyst 3 Regular/full-time Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship Environmental Stewardship Division Winnipeg MB Advertisement Number: 30607 Salary(s): PM3 $60,314.00 - $75,804.00 per year Closing Date: September 14, 2015 Preference will be given to women, Aboriginal people, visible minorities and persons with a disability. Conservation and Water Stewardship is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Senior Policy … [View More]Analyst position. Qualifications: *Conditions of Employment:* · Must be legally entitled to work in Canada. · Must have a valid full stage Manitoba Class 5 Driver's Licence · Must be willing and able to travel throughout province and occasionally outside of Manitoba (Canada and the United States). *Essential Criteria:* · Post secondary education in Environmental Studies/Sciences, Political Sciences or an Economic related field, with related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may also be considered. · Experience developing, implementing, managing and providing recommendations on complex projects and programs. · Strong written communication skills including experience preparing correspondence, reports and position papers with a high degree of accuracy. · Strong verbal communication skills including experience facilitating presentations to the public and stakeholder groups. · Strong interpersonal skills, including experience fostering collaboration and partnerships with a variety of internal and external stakeholder groups. · Strong research and analytical skills. · Experience working independently with strong organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize workloads, multi-task, and work on concurrent assignment with strict deadlines. · Strong political acumen. · Experience working with local, national and international climate change issues and trends including mitigation and adaptation. · Experience working with Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint. · Knowledge of legislation, policies and programs relating to climate change in Manitoba, including knowledge of key Green House Gas emitting sectors and sources in Manitoba. *Desired Criteria:* · Experience managing change and projects horizontally across multiple departments. Duties: This position is responsible for providing support cross-coordination of provincial climate change policy and programs and function as the cross-department lead on policy and programs that impact multiple government departments, agencies and Crown corporations. The incumbent will be an active member of regional and national committees and working groups related to federal climate change regulations. They will provide advice to senior officials on policies that could potentially conflict with climate change policy objectives. Apply to: Advertisement # 30607 Civil Service Commission Human Resource Services 300-305 Broadway Winnipeg, MB , R3C 3J7 Phone: 204-945-8615 Fax: 204-948-2193 Email: govjobs(a)gov.mb.ca *When applying to this advertisement, please indicate the advertisement number and position title in the subject line and body of your email.* Employment Equity is a factor in selection. Applicants are requested to indicate in their covering letter or resumé if they are from any of the following groups: women, Aboriginal people, visible minorities and persons with a disability. We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. Your cover letter, resumé and/or application must clearly indicate how you meet the qualifications. http://jobsearch.gov.mb.ca/search.action [View Less]

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AT Webinar: Shared Streets, Slow Streets - Wed, Sept 16, 2-3pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 10 Sep '15

10 Sep '15

Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local viewing of the following APBP webinar: *Shared Streets, Slow Streets*. Should be a good one. The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local applications. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth ** * * * ** Shared Streets, Slow Streets *Wednesday, Sept. 16th, 2-3pm, EcoCentre <http://… [View More]

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The Economist: Cities are starting to put pedesetrians and cyclists before motorists (05Sept2015)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Sep '15

04 Sep '15

Some inspiration leading up to our own Ciclovia <http://www.manyfest.ca/#!ciclovia/cbu2> happening Sunday, September 13, which for the first time will include a car-free route for Winnipeggers to bike, walk, inline skate, skateboard or whatever from Kildonan Park to The Forks in addition to the car-free route from The Forks to Assiniboine Park. Thanks to Dan Prowse for sharing this article. * * * * * Cities are starting to put pedestrians and cyclists before motorists. That makes them … [View More]nicer—and healthier—to live in http://www.economist.com/news/international/21663219-cities-are-starting-pu… AT 6am on a sweltering Sunday the centre of Gurgaon, a city in northern India, is abuzz. Children queue for free bicycles to ride on a 4km stretch of road that will be cordoned off from traffic for the next five hours. Teenagers pedal about, taking selfies; middle-aged men and women jog by. On a stage, a black-belt demonstrates karate; yoga practice is on a quieter patch down the street. Weaving through the crowd dispensing road-safety tips is a traffic cop with a majestic moustache. Gurgaon’s weekly jamboree is called Raahgiri (“reclaim your streets”). Amit Bhatt of EMBARQ, a green think-tank, started it in 2013, inspired by Bogotá’s ciclovia, pictured above, for which Colombia’s capital closes 120km of streets on Sundays and holidays. Such events are part of a movement that is accelerating around the world. Cyclists and motorists have never liked sharing the road. In “A Cool and Logical Analysis of the Bicycle Menace”, P.J. O’Rourke, a car-loving comic, grumbles that “one cannot drive around a curve” without meeting a “suicidal phalanx” of “huffing bicyclers”. Casey Neistat, a New York cyclist who was fined $50 for not riding in a bike lane, made a film of himself crashing into some of the unkindly parked cars that so often make that impossible.From Guangzhou to Brussels to Chicago, cities are shifting their attention from keeping cars moving to making it easier to walk, cycle and play on their streets. Some central roads are being converted into pedestrian promenades, others flanked with cycle lanes. Speed limits are being slashed. More than 700 cities in 50 countries now have bike-share schemes; the number has grown by about half in the past three years. Many cities are exploring ways to keep petrolheads and pedalophiles apart. Over 100, particularly in Latin America, close some roads to cars on weekends. Paris is leading the way in Europe, closing over 30km; Dublin and Milan plan to banish cars from their centres. Even Los Angeles (a city Steve Martin, a comic actor, satirised by getting in his car to drive three paces to his neighbour’s house in “LA Story”) recently announced plans for hundreds of miles of bus and cycle lanes. In the rich world, these measures follow improvements in public transport—and congestion charges and other policies that make driving and parking in many cities a misery. The number of cars entering central London has dropped by a third since 2002. Three-fifths of Parisians owned a car in 2001; now two-fifths do. And some people are shifting from public transport to walking or cycling: a fifth as many journeys in London are now made by bike as on the Underground; 15 years ago, only a tenth were. All this makes cities safer and nicer, planners say. London hopes to attract footloose talent this way, says Isabel Dedring, its deputy mayor for transport. The International Transport Forum, a think-tank, predicts that by 2050 the world’s roads will have to cope with 2.5 billion cars and light trucks, three times as many as today. Almost all the growth will be in developing countries. Some cities are building rail and subway systems; others are creating rapid-bus lanes. India plans to expand or launch rapid transit in 50 cities. But safety is often neglected. The best way to get more people walking is to slow down traffic citywide, says Guillermo Peñalosa of 8 80 Cities, a Canadian lobby group. Slower traffic makes neighbourhoods quieter and safer. More than 80% of pedestrians hit by cars moving at 65kph die; at half that speed only 5% die. A 25mph (40kph) speed limit went into effect in New York last year. London recently cut the speed limit to 20mph on more than 280km of its roads and is getting rid of pedestrian-unfriendly giant roundabouts. In September Toronto will slow down traffic on more than 300km of its roads. Four wheels bad, two wheels good In cycling, Amsterdam and Copenhagen are the pacesetters, with a third of trips made by bicycle. More than half of Amsterdam’s residents use their bikes daily. London, New York and Paris all have plans to challenge them. All three cities are expanding their bike-share schemes and building new bike lanes, some on quiet roads with new, lower speed limits for cars, and others running through central areas and separated from motorised traffic. Such schemes can quickly convince more people to start pedalling. They are particularly popular with women, who transport planners say are more nervous than men about sharing roads with roaring traffic and typically make up less than a quarter of urban cyclists. In 2007-2010 the Spanish city of Seville built an 80km network of separated two-way bicycle lanes; the share of trips in the city that were by bicycle went from nearly zero to 7%. In Taipei few women cycled before its YouBike share scheme started in 2009; now they are half of the city’s cyclists. Bike-shares are spreading out beyond city centres and being linked with public transport, says Kevin Mayne of the European Cyclists’ Federation. In Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands some schemes are run by the railways. More than 100 cities have smartphone apps that show which docking stations have bicycles available. Riders of Copenhagen’s GoBike can plot routes and check travel bookings from an on-board GPS. Both bikes and public transport are more likely to be used when bike racks are placed on the front of buses, as in Boston and Washington, DC, and secure parking is provided at rail stations. In 2014 Britain’s transport ministry looked at recently built cycling and walking infrastructure in eight cities. Standard cost-benefit analyses for planned transport infrastructure include a value for the lives saved (or lost) through changes in the number of accidents. Using the same figures for the lives prolonged by increased activity, it found that the cost of the schemes was repaid three-fold—and again in reduced congestion. London’s authorities calculate that if every Londoner switched to walking for trips under 2km, and to cycling for trips of 2-8km, the share who got enough exercise to remain healthy simply by getting around would rise from 25% to 60%. That would amount to 61,500 years of healthy life gained each year. Even once-a-week exercise fiestas can boost health. A 2009 survey of participants in Bogotá’s Sunday ciclovias found that 42% of adults did as much exercise during the event as the World Health Organisation recommends for a week. (It ranks Colombia the world’s most sedentary country: see article <http://www.economist.com/news/international/21663218-sedentary-living-has-r…>.) Only 12% would have done so otherwise. Yet the health gains from walking and cycling rarely feature in transport plans—partly because the benefits are reaped by national health ministries (and the people who get fitter, of course), rather than the cities that build the infrastructure. Britain is trying to align incentives better. Last year London’s transport authority published a “transport health action plan”: a ten-year scheme, backed by £4 billion of government money, that will redesign streets along lines recommended by public-health experts. And the country’s National Health Service (NHS) wants to help cities that are building cheap housing complexes to include health-promoting features, such as cycle routes and playgrounds. As rich cities are, at last, undoing their past planning mistakes, activists in developing ones are trying to ensure that they are not repeated. They are lobbying for safe walking and cycling routes as well as better public transport, and for traffic laws to be enforced—before pollution and inactivity take their full toll. Convincing officials preoccupied with keeping cars moving can be tough: “This won’t work here,” one told Mr Bhatt when he proposed the*Raahgiri *and other ways to make Gurgaon’s streets more pedestrian-friendly. He persisted, getting 200 schoolchildren to cycle up to the city administration’s headquarters to demonstrate public support. His team has since also convinced the city to paint cycling lanes at the side of some streets; barriers will soon protect them from cars. One user is Dilip Grover, a 62-year-old manager of a small firm. Not having cycled since college, he rediscovered its joys after hopping on a free bike at the Raahgiri. He now cycles 10km to work. The Raahgiri has changed attitudes, he thinks: many drivers also participate and now think twice before honking at a pedestrian or jumping a traffic light. It is a small start. -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> 3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave | (204) 925-3772 | Find us here <http://greenactioncentre.ca/content/ecocentre-directions-and-travel-options/> Green Action Centre is your non-profit hub for greener living. Support our work by becoming a member <http://greenactioncentre.ca/support/become-a-member/>. Donate at CanadaHelps.org <http://canadahelps.org/> <http://canadahelps.org/> [View Less]

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8 lessons for [Winnipeg] from Montréal's bike culture
by Beth McKechnie 28 Aug '15

28 Aug '15

While written by a Vancouverite with his own city in mind, the lessons learned from Montréal are just as meaningful for Winnipeg. Great photos tell it all. http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2015/08/montreal-bike-culture-lessons-vancouver/ cheers, Beth

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Join a Global Gender-based Bike Count on September 1st
by Anders Swanson 26 Aug '15

26 Aug '15

OK Boys and Girls. Who wants to count bikes next Tuesday? *Join the world in doing a "Super Tuesday" count Tuesday, September 1st from 7am to 9am. * To help, the only qualification is owning a smartphone capable of using the free CounterPoint app <http://counterpointapp.org/>. And having a passion for change. Is Winnipeg in? Are you? *How it works: * You will be doing a two hours count of bicycles. You can pick or setup any new or existing location you like. (It can be Main Street or … [View More]

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APBP's Professional Development Seminar in St.Louis
by Anders Swanson 17 Aug '15

17 Aug '15

[My apologies for neglecting to forward this to you prior to the early-bird deadline. Nonetheless, this a worthwhile professional development opportunity in and the largest walking/cycling conference in North America this year. -Anders] *From:* APBP [mailto:news=apbp.org@mail144.atl61.mcsv.net <news=apbp.org(a)mail144.atl61.mcsv.net>] *On Behalf Of *APBP *Sent:* Thursday, August 06, 2015 11:41 AM *To:* *Subject:* PDS Early Registration Extended to August 14! Register by August 14 … [View More]

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WFP-The Herald: Active Transportation Bridge gets some recognition (Aug.7'15)
by Beth McKechnie 17 Aug '15

17 Aug '15

The Herald <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald>Active Transportation Bridge gets some recognition http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/our-communities/herald/Active-Transportati… Two recent construction projects in Elmwood were recognized by the Canadian Public Works Association. The Disraeli Active Transportation Bridge received the Canadian Public Works Association (CPWA)’s 2014 Project of the Year award in the Transportation Category for a construction project … [View More]

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AT Webinar: Streetscape Design to Improve Walking and Cycling, Wed, Aug 19, 2-3pm, EcoCentre
by Beth McKechnie 17 Aug '15

17 Aug '15

Green Action Centre and Bike Winnipeg invite you to join us for a local viewing of the following APBP webinar: *Streetscape Design to Improve Walking and Cycling*. The webinar viewing takes place in the EcoCentre boardroom (3rd floor, 303 Portage Ave) and will be followed by group discussion of local applications. RSVPs appreciated but not necessary. Hope to see you then! cheers, Beth ** * * * ** Streetscape Design to Improve Walking and Cycling *Wednesday, August 19th, 2-3pm, … [View More]

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BIZ BIZ TEDx?
by Anders Swanson 11 Aug '15

11 Aug '15

[Think about it: Assiniboine is currently the Portage Avenue for people on bikes. Winnipeg Trails' email account often gets asked :"We are headed out on our bikes, where can we go for coffee/grab a drink along Winnipeg Trails?" Modern north american zoning is traditionally oriented around roads (think how arterial roads are typically also commercial corridors). Increasingly, the possibilities of transit spurring similar development (think transit quality zones/TOD) is becoming better understood.… [View More]

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WFP: Couple travels the world by bike – without leaving the city (Aug.4'15)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Aug '15

04 Aug '15

How to cycle the world in 14 days? Hint: you don't leave Winnipeg *http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/how-to-cycle-the-world-in-14-days-weeks-320576622.html <http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/how-to-cycle-the-world-in-14-days-we…>* They’re pedalling around the world in 14 days. Newly engaged Michael Horbay and Lisa Kappel, both 45, are self-described "avid" cyclists and runners. In summers past, their bikes have taken them across the city, from Bombers games to The Forks and … [View More]places between. Last year, they cycled to 14 different Folklorama pavilions. This year, they’re hoping to top that, biking to all of the 43 pavilions the festival offers. "Second day in, it’s been an awesome adventure and we’re just, Lisa and I are just pumped," said Horbay Monday evening, the second night of the festival. Already, he and his fiancee had been to three pavilions — Germany, Hungary and Ethiopia — and were about to head out to three more: the Philippines, Portugal and Spain. For two weeks every summer, Folklorama’s pavilions offer Winnipeggers a peek into cultures from all over the globe. Last year’s festival brought out more than 400,000 visitors to the 43 venues, run by more than 20,000 volunteers. Now celebrating its 46th birthday, the festival’s 2015 run began Sunday and will wrap up on Aug. 15. In that time, Horbay and Kappel estimate they will cycle more than 400 kilometres — logging just over 30 the first night and assuming the next 13 will be similar — and catching between two and four shows a day. You’ll be able to spot them by their bright red T-shirts, branded "Cycling Folklorama #seeitall." "Folklorama means a lot to us," said Kappel on Monday. "It’s a chance to experience a holiday within our own city. We get to see the world on our bikes." After sampling a handful of pavilions by bike last year and loving it, Kappel said she and Horbay decided to get serious this time round. "This year, we actually took holidays and re-arranged our schedules for the weeks to make it out to all of (the pavilions)," she said. "Michael sat down, and we got the Folklorama (guide), and a lot of the pavilions are kind of grouped together. We picked the furthest one of the grouping and then we go to the other ones after that." Horbay said the biggest motivation to ride to each event is pretty simple. "You know, cycling is, first of all, a lot of fun," he said. There’s also the added layer of convenience: no worries about finding parking, and Horbay said staff at the pavilions have been "extremely gracious" in helping store the cycles safely — plus, there’s no traffic. Kappel added she appreciates that cycling is easier on the environment than driving around in a car, and both value the chance to challenges themselves and get some exercise. The pair will be tweeting about their journey, using the hashtags #michaelandlisafitnessfun and #seeitall — a challenge in itself, Horbay noted. "The cycling is the easy part, it’s all the social media we have to keep up on," he quipped. More than anything, Kappel said she hopes other Winnipeggers are inspired to catch a Folklorama show — by bike or otherwise. "I think sometimes we (Winnipeggers) tend to not take advantage of things that are offered at home," she said. "We just want to encourage Winnipeggers to get out there on their bikes and to take advantage of what the city has to offer right here at home." aidan.geary(a)freepress.mb.ca *Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 4, 2015 A2* [View Less]

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WFP: Councillors hire lawyer to persuade re-vote on contentious transportation plan (Aug1'15)
by Beth McKechnie 01 Aug '15

01 Aug '15

[sigh..] Councillors hire lawyer to persuade re-vote on contentious transportation plan http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/Councillors-hire-lawyer-to-p-3203271… A trio of Winnipeg city councillors opposed to portions of the city’s controversial pedestrian and cycling strategy are calling for a re-vote after they produced a legal opinion that found there were no grounds to block debate to the amendments they were proposing. Couns. Russ Wyatt, Ross Eadie and Jason Schreyer hired local … [View More]lawyer Dave Hill following the July 15 council meeting, where Speaker Devi Sharma — on the advice of the city clerk — refused to allow debate on the 20 amendments to the strategy. Sharma ruled the city’s procedure bylaw limits the number of amendments to a motion to two, and that was taken up by two friendly amendments already put forward by Couns. Scott Gillingham and Jenny Gerbasi. Schreyer immediately rose to challenge Sharma’s ruling, but he couldn’t muster enough support from other councillors to support him. But in a written report to the three councillors, Hill said he could find no provisions in the procedure bylaw to support Sharma’s ruling and added perhaps the motion approving the strategy was illegal because council had broken its own rules by refusing debate on all the amendments. "I am not surprised there is now legal opinion backing up my challenge of the Speaker," Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) said. Wyatt (Transcona) said he hopes the legal opinion is enough to persuade Mayor Brian Bowman to bring the strategy back to council for another vote. "All we want is our amendments to be considered," Wyatt said Friday. The three councillors said they used their ward allowance funds to hire Hill, explaining his legal bill is expected to be in the range of $500 to $750. "It’s a travesty that well-thought-out amendments were denied democratic debate," Eadie (Mynarski) said. Bowman’s office said the mayor was unavailable for comment Friday. City clerk Richard Kachur said council has always interpreted Section 27 of the procedure bylaw as limiting the number of amendments to any motion to two. "I didn’t have to get a legal opinion, it’s always been interpreted this way for the past 20 years," Kachur said. "There’s been lots of practice and precedent to support this. This is how council conducts itself." Council’s July 15 meeting was a wild affair, with Wyatt storming out of the chambers after Sharma blocked debate on the 20 amendments. Wyatt ran to the mayor’s office and taped a copy of each amendment to his glass door and wrote "democracy denied" on each document. At the July 15 meeting, Sharma ruled only the first two amendment motions tabled for an item can be debated and voted on. She said, based on advice from the city clerk, that if more motions are added for debate, it requires a two-thirds vote of council to suspend the rules and allow the debate on the additional amendments. Only Wyatt, Eadie, Schreyer, Jeff Browaty and Shane Dobson voted to suspend the rules. That council meeting culminated a month-long campaign by Wyatt, Eadie and Browaty to gather support for changes to the strategy. They had singled out errors in the maps that marked out pedestrian and cycling routes. They even took out radio ads promoting their concerns. aldo.santin(a)freepress.mb.ca [View Less]

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Friday smile: Everyday Cyclists' New Hero (Momentum)
by Beth McKechnie 31 Jul '15

31 Jul '15

For a Friday laugh, check out this video from Sao Paulo that's making the rounds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luNGjffDjCs Read the full story <http://momentummag.com/this-man-lifting-a-car-is-every-frustrated-bike-rider> in Momentum Magazine how this fellow lifts a car (by hand) out of a bike lane so he can cycle through. -- *Beth McKechnie* | Workplace Commuter Options <http://greenactioncentre.ca/>Green Action Centre <http://www.greenactioncentre.ca/> <http://… [View More]

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